Container System

ABSTRACT

A container system includes a tray support unit and at least one tray. The tray is received in tray guides of the tray support unit that allow the tray to extend from and retract into the tray support unit. The tray support unit includes a bracket with a pair of arms, a frame and a compression element, which components facilitate secure but removable attachment of the container system to a fixed item without the need for tools or hardware. The tray may comprise a plurality of apertures for securely receiving a plurality of items within the tray. Additionally, removable walls may be placed within the perimeter of the tray to configure customized compartmentalization of the tray,

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/287,584, filed on Nov. 2, 2011, which application claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application numbered 61/509,466, filed on Jul. 19, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a container system, and more particularly, to a container system for holding a plurality of pods or other individual items.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Storage of food and beverage items at home or the workplace is a longstanding concern generally. As new products are introduced, the concern is compounded, as new products may require new storage solutions. Consumers prefer tidy and efficient storage solutions generally, and the introduction of new products prompts the need for storage mechanism to maintain tidy and efficient storage of these new products.

One recently-developed product that has seen significant success and popularity after its introduction is a “coffee pod,” which pod contains a single-serving of ground coffee, along with an optional filter. Such pods are placed in specially-designed coffee machines, which machines received a pod and subject the pod and ground coffee to heated water to brew the coffee, and then dispense the brewed coffee from the pod into a cup. These machines are popular at the home and work place for the great convenience that they provide—in providing coffee on demand and without the need to brew a whole pot of coffee.

Pods are generally configured as a disk or cup-shape, with a label or color-coding to indicate the particular flavors and/or blend of coffee therein. These pods are relatively small, and smaller than a standard-sized hockey puck, by way of reference. Pods are usually sold in bulk, rather than individually, and are often sold with as “variety packs,” i.e., with a plurality of different flavors and/or blends therein. Pods are usually packaged in a box, with the box being labeled with the type and number of the various pods contained therein.

While such packaging of pods is convenient for retail display, and for transporting pods from the place of purchase to a home or office, this packaging does not lend itself to easy access or storage of the pods for a user because, for instance, the packaging does not facilitate ready display of the variety of pods that may be in such packaging, and because such packaging may occupy more space than is necessary to show and represent the variety of flavors or blends that a user has purchased.

Certain attempts have been made to provide for organized storage of a plurality of items in limited space (such as a plurality of coffee pods). These attempts suffer from a number of drawbacks, however. While storage trays that may hold a plurality of items are known, such storage trays are not versatile for at least the reason that they are mechanically complex, because they require hardware to be installed at/attached to a location, and because they cannot be easily uninstalled and moved to a variety of different installation locations.

For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,696 shows a shelf-supported drawer arrangement. The drawer arrangement includes a means for removably attaching a housing from a shelf, however the arrangement requires a plurality of clamps that must attach to a plurality of sides of the shelf. The '696 patent requires a large number of parts to accomplish the installation of the drawer, and the requirement that clamps attach to more than one side of the shelf complicates the installation process.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,229 shows a secure storage desk drawer and installation clamp therefore. The installation clamp requires the separate fasteners (such as screws) for secure installation of the drawer to a desk. The use of these fasteners requires additional tools and that a user permanently alter the structure of the desk (by penetrating the desk surface with a fastener.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,636 shows a container storage assembly that allows drawers to be mounted under a surface. However, installation of the drawers is dependent drawer supports that are effectively permanently mounted to the structure in which the drawers may be installed.

Accordingly, a need exists for a container system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, while maintaining the benefits of the prior art. A further need exists for a container system that may store, organize and display a plurality of items, such as food and beverage items for a user, while providing such storage, organization, and display without occupying an unnecessary amount of space while not in use. Moreover, a need exists for a container system that may be quickly and easily attached or secured to (and removed from) a location or structure, so that a user may incorporate the container system in an existing structure or item of furniture, and which attaching or securing can be accomplished manually and quickly, and without any additional hardware, fasteners, or installation tools.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a container system configured to include all the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide for a container system that is capable of holding a plurality of items in an organized fashion and in a confined space.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide for a container system that may be quickly and easily installed manually in a variety of locations and without the use of tools or hardware.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide for a container system that may be installed on and uninstalled from a fixed object without damaging the fixed object in the course of installation or removal.

Still another object is to provide for a container system that may display a plurality of items in a readily-viewable and accessible fashion regardless of the configuration of the fixed object to which the container system is attached.

To achieve the above objects, the present disclosure provides a container system, which container system is capable of holding a plurality of items in an organized and readily-viewable and accessible fashion. The container system comprises a tray support unit, which tray support unit includes a bracket with a pair of arms, a frame, at least one tray guide, and a compression element. The tray support unit is capable of removably attaching the container system to a fixed object. The tray support unit also receives a tray thereon. The tray support unit may securely attach to a fixed object and, so attached, may allow the tray to be selectively accessed by a user. Such selective access may be provided by a slidable connection between the tray and the at least one tray guide of the tray support unit. In an embodiment, such slidable connection is accomplished by an engagement feature of the tray, which engagement feature may be disposed against and received along an uninterrupted surface of the at least one tray guide to permit the tray to move in at least two directions with respect to the tray support unit and with respect to a fixed object to which the container system may attach.

The tray support unit is configured to securely attach to a fixed object (such as a shelf or desk) by way of exerting pressure and or friction on the fixed object. In an embodiment, the tray support unit comprises a clamp or “C” configuration, which configuration may be biased toward a closed position. The tray support unit comprises a flexible elastic material that permits the user to open the tray support unit sufficiently so that it may fit over and be positioned on a fixed object. After being positioned on a fixed object, if space remains between the tray support unit and the fixed item, the bias of the tray support unit toward a closed position will cause the tray support unit to securely attach to the fixed object.

In another embodiment, the bracket of the tray support unit may securely attach the tray support unit to a fixed object. In such an embodiment, the arms of the bracket may be disposed against one section or area of the fixed item (such as the top side of a shelf) and the frame of the bracket may be disposed against another section or area of the fixed item (such as the bottom side of a shelf). The compression element of the tray support unit may be biased to apply pressure on the fixed item to assist in the secure attachment of the tray support unit to the fixed object. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, frictional material may be disposed on the arms of the tray support unit to facilitate such secure attachment.

The tray may comprise a plurality of apertures, which each of which aperture may receive an item (such as a coffee pod) therein. The apertures may be of a configuration to complement the item that is received therein, so as to securely contain the item within the tray. The apertures may include a tapering or transitioning radius or perimeter to support the item received therein and to prevent the item received therein from passing or falling through the apertures. The apertures may also include, on at least a portion of the radius or perimeter thereof that is adjacent to the surface of the tray, a depression in which a user may insert his or her finger to provide leverage and otherwise assist in removing a stored item from the tray.

In another embodiment, the tray may further comprise at least one removable wall that may be disposed within the perimeter of the tray to compartmentalize the tray.

The tray may extend from the tray support unit to allow a user to view and access a plurality of items that have been stored therein. In an embodiment, the tray may tilt downwardly when fully extended from the tray support unit to facilitate additional ease of access to the items that are stored within the tray.

These together with other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container system with a tray thereof in a retracted position, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a container system in an extended and hinged position, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of at least one tray insert of a container system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted in the accompanying figures. The preferred embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Unless limited otherwise, the terms “disposed,” “coupled,” “attached,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect arrangements. The term “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

The present disclosure comprises a container system for holding and organizing a plurality of items (such as coffee pods.) The system comprises a tray unit for attachment to a fixed item and tray, which tray may include a plurality of apertures therein, each of which aperture is configured to receive and retain an item therein. The tray may alternatively or also include at least one removable wall that may extend upwardly from a surface of the tray, which wall may form compartments on the tray. The system may be installed on a shelf or other existing piece of furniture by way of a bracket of the tray support unit, which bracket includes a compression and/or friction element such that the container system may be installed and removably attached to an object without the use of hardware or tools. The tray of the system may extend and retract from the tray support unit to facilitate access to the stored items and to keep the system and stored items isolated and out of the way when the system is not in use.

-Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in an embodiment, a container system 100 comprises a tray 200 and a tray support unit 300. The tray support unit comprises a bracket 350, which bracket includes a pair of arms 362 and 364, a frame 370, at least one tray guide 380, and a compression element 390. The pair of arms 362 and 364 are disposed away from the frame 370 and tray guide 380 such that the tray support unit 300 may removably attach to an object by disposing the object between the pair of arms 362 and 364 and the frame 370 and tray guide 380. The tray support unit 300 is preferably formed from a sufficiently flexible material that permits the frame 370 and pair of arms 362 and 364 to be moved away from one another when a user so manipulates the bracket, but otherwise biases the frame 370 and pair of arms 362 and 364 to close toward one another when no force is otherwise applied on these components. This bias permits the tray support unit 300 to securely attach to a fixed item.

The bracket 350 of the tray support unit may be formed from hollow tubing or other sufficiently elastic materials that allow the frame and arms of the bracket to flex toward and away from one another. The dimensions of the frame 370 preferably correspond substantially to the dimensions of the perimeter of the tray, although the dimensions of the frame do not need to be identical or substantially identical to the dimensions of the perimeter of the tray. The arms 362 and 364 of the bracket are attached to the frame 370, preferably at an end or edge of the frame 370 and at an end of the pair of arms 362 and 364 as shown in the figures. So attached, the frame and pair of arms are substantially parallel. Each arm 362 and 364 is preferably linear in configuration.

The pair of arms 362 and 364 may further comprise a frictional element 366 disposed on at least one of the arms. In an embodiment, the frictional element 366 comprises a sleeve that substantially surrounds a length of the arm to which it is attached, as shown in the figures. It will be apparent that the frictional element comprises a material that facilitates retaining the arm in a position when the arm is biased against and attached to a fixed object. The frictional element may also comprise a padded material to reduce wear and tear on the fixed object against which the arm may be biased. In an embodiment, the frictional element comprises a sleeve of foam rubber.

The tray support unit 300 further comprises at least one tray guide 380. Shown in the figures is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein two tray guides 380 are provided. The at least one tray guide 380 is preferably disposed on the bracket 350 such that the frame 370 is between the at least one tray guide 380 and the arms 362 and 364. The at least one tray guide 380 is configured to accept a portion of the tray and accordingly direct movement of the tray within the at least one tray guide 380. In an embodiment, the at least one tray guide 380 comprises a rail, a length of which is substantially parallel to the frame 370. The at least one tray guide 380 further comprises a stop or a closed end at least one end thereof for limiting the movement of the tray within the tray guide. The tray guide preferably also comprises an open end at the end that is opposite to the stop or closed end of the tray guide, which open end will allow the tray 200 to be accessed, extended out of, and removed from the tray support unit 300. The open end of the tray guide 380 may further comprise a region that is configured to allow rotational movement of the tray 200 when the tray 200 is extended out of the tray support unit 300 a sufficient distance (which distance and movement will be described in more detail below.)

The tray support unit 300 further comprises a compression element 390, which compression element may also facilitate secure attachment of the tray support unit 300 to a fixed object. In an embodiment, the compression element 390 comprises a clip or a flap and a spring, which spring may bias the clip or flap in a position. The compression element may be rotatably attached to a section of the frame 370. In an embodiment, the clip or flap is disposed toward the interior of the bracket of the tray support unit, and the spring biases the clip or flap toward the arms 362 and 364 of the tray support unit 300, such that the clip or flap of the compression element 390 may be disposed against a fixed object when object is received between the arms 362 and 364 and the frame 370 of the tray support unit 300.

The tray 200 of a container system 100 comprises a substantially planar region 210 in or on which items may be received and stored. The tray may comprise a plurality of apertures (not shown) within the planar region 210. The apertures may be configured to correspond to the shape of a particular item (such as a coffee pod, for example) such that an item with the shape that corresponds to the configuration of the aperture may be securely retained within the aperture of the tray 200. Such aperture may include inwardly tapering walls or a rim or shelf in an inner perimeter thereof to correspond to the shape of the item to be retained in the aperture, for facilitating secure retention of an item within the aperture, and/or to prohibit an item from falling through the aperture of the tray 200. Aperture may further comprise a depression in the planar region 210 along a portion of the perimeter of the aperture, which depression may provide space in which a user may insert a finger or lever to assist with removing a stored item from the aperture as needed.

In another embodiment, planar region 210 of tray is bounded by outer walls 220 at a perimeter of planar region 210 that rise upwardly away from planar region 210 of tray 200. As shown in the figures, the tray 200 may further comprise a plurality of removable walls 400, which removable walls 400 may form compartments within the planar region 210 of the tray 200 when the removable walls 400 are installed on the tray 200. In an embodiment, the removable walls 400 may be received on the tray 200 by way of slots 410 that are disposed on the interior of the outer walls 220 of the tray 200. More particularly, an end of a removable wall 400 may be received in a slot 410 that is disposed on an interior of an outer wall 220 of the tray 200 to removably but securely hold the removable wall 400 in a position such that it extends across at least a portion of the planar region 210 of the tray 200. A removable wall 400 may also comprise at least one slot 410, which at least one slot 410 so disposed on a removable wall 400 may similarly receive and retain an end of another removable wall 400 (as shown in the figures).

In another embodiment, and referring now to FIG. 3, the container system 100 comprises at least one tray insert 420, which at least one tray insert may be removably or temporarily disposed upon at least a portion of the planar region 210 of the tray. The tray insert 420 is preferably planar to correspond with the configuration of the tray 200 and planar region 210 thereof, and is preferably sufficiently thin such that it does not sit above the outer walls 220 of the tray, while still thick enough to be resilient and to receive items therein and/or support items thereon. The tray insert 420 further comprises at least one aperture 430 thereon, which at least one aperture may be configured to receive at least a portion of an item or object therein. Further, the at least one aperture may be configured to correspond to the configuration of a particular item or category of item (such as a coffee pod, a spice bottle, and the like.) Preferably, but not necessarily, each aperture of such a plurality of apertures of a tray insert 420 will have the same configuration as one another.

In an embodiment, the at least one tray insert 420 of such dimensions that it may be received in a compartment formed by a removable wall or walls 400 of the container system 100. It will be apparent that the container system 100 may be configured with a plurality of compartments (so formed by a removably wall or walls 400) and that each compartment may receive a tray insert 420, such that the container system 100 may be assembled to securely store a plurality of different items in an organized and efficient manner. For example, a user may place a tray insert 420 with apertures that are configured to receive coffee pods in one compartment formed by a removable wall 400, and a tray insert with apertures that are configured to receive spice bottles in another compartment formed by the removable wall 400.

The tray 200 may be formed from plastic or lightweight metal or metal alloy, or any other material that provides sufficient structural integrity to receive and hold a plurality of items thereon or within. It will be apparent that the dimensions of the tray 200 will correspond to the dimensions of the tray support unit 300 such that the tray 200 may be securely received by the tray guides 380 of the tray support unit 300.

The tray 200 further comprises engagement features 230 for removable attachment to the tray guides 380 of the tray support unit 300. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement features 230 of the tray 200 comprise at least one wing that extends away from an outer wall 220 of the tray, which wing is received within and supported by a tray guide 380. In this embodiment, the wing extends away from the outer wall 200 along a portion of the length of the outer wall 200 and is received within the tray guide 380 such that tray guide 380 may direct or limit linear movement of the tray 200. The engagement features 230 may further comprise a peg 232, which peg 232 is preferably disposed linear to but away from the wing, such that the peg 232 is distal to the open end of the tray guide 380 when the tray 200 is recessed within the tray support unit 300. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, when the tray 200 is sufficiently extended out of the tray support unit 300, the peg 232 may be received in the region of the open end of the tray guide 380 that is configured to allow rotational movement of the tray 200 such that a user may the tray may hingably move away from the tray support unit 300 to allow additional access to the items that may be stored within the tray 200, while the peg 232 otherwise maintains the attachment or coupling of the tray 200 to the tray support unit 300.

To install the tray 200 on the tray support unit 300, a user aligns tray 200 within tray guides 380 such that engagement features 230 of tray 200 are received within the tray guide or guides 380. It will be apparent that the tray guides 3800 are sufficiently pliable to permit installation (and removal) of tray 200. With the tray 200 so installed, a user may slidably move the tray nearer to and away from tray support unit 300.

The container system as described herein has the advantages of providing a lightweight and removably attachable system for receiving, organizing, and storing items (such as coffee pods) at a location preferred by a user. The system also provides for an organized presentation of stored items (such as coffee pods) so that user can readily view and select a particular item for use, and for inconspicuous storage of the pods when a user does not have an immediate need for a pod or pods. Furthermore, the removable attachment of the system allows a user to transport and/or adjust attachment of the system easily and quickly, so that the user can move the system to a different location as desired or needed. This transporting and adjustment of the system does not require tools or hardware (rather, just the application of pressure on the frame and arms of tray support unit), such that fixed items to which the system may be attached are not damaged or altered by such attachment and such that a user does not require a stock of tools nearby to attach or remove the system from a fixed item.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container system, the system comprising a tray support unit and at least one tray, wherein said tray support unit comprises a bracket, said bracket comprising a pair of arms, a frame, at least one tray guide, and a compression element, wherein said pair of arms is disposed away from said frame and tray guide such that the tray support unit may removably attach to an object by disposing said object between said pair of arms and said frame and tray guide, and wherein said compression element may impart a force on the object to which the tray support unit is removably attached to facilitate attachment of the tray support unit to the object, wherein said at least one tray guide comprises an uninterrupted surface that may accept a portion of the tray to direct movement of the tray along the surface of the at least one tray guide, wherein said tray comprises at least one engagement feature, which at least one engagement feature may be disposed against and received along the uninterrupted surface of the at least one tray guide for directing movement of the tray and wherein said tray support unit and said tray comprises complementary engagement features such that said at least one tray may retract toward or extend away from said tray support unit when said at least one tray is received within said at least one tray guide.
 2. The container system of claim 1, wherein said at least one tray further comprises a plurality of apertures thereon.
 3. The container system of claim 1, wherein said at least one tray further comprises at least one removable wall disposed within a perimeter of the tray.
 4. The container system of claim 1, wherein said pair of arms of said bracket comprises a frictional element thereon.
 5. The container system of claim 1, wherein said compression element comprises a clip that is biased by a spring.
 6. The container system of claim 1, further comprising at least one tray insert that may be disposed on the tray.
 7. The container system of claim 6, wherein the at least one tray insert of claim 7 further comprises at least one aperture thereon. 